I recently tried to monitor the hits on this blog. Not surprisingly, there are those, like me who have sat the United Nations NCRE exams out there who scour the web looking for any clues, any information they can find on that may enlighten them on the latest happening.
I have come to learn that patience is the name of the game. People say its bureaucracy, others may mistakenly believe that the United Nations may have forgotten all about them. But lets face it; they may be slow in responding but they are well aware of everything. As the 2009 NCRE exams have concluded, I thought I might share more of my tips for those candidates still waiting on word from the United Nations.
After your exams, wait patiently
After your exams go get a nice cup of coffee, relax and refocus all your energy on whatever it is that you are currently doing. Be sure to regularly check the examination page on http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/examin/ncrepage.htm to monitor the progress of the exams. The UN will almost always try to meet the deadlines it posts on this site and if it is not able to meet it, it will post an updated date. I do not know what factors force them to change dates, but changes are expected and your patience is important.
When convoked, be prepared
The successful candidates after the written exams are listed on the NCRE website and contacted at least a week later by email. In this email, the UN will send information you would need such as the date, time and venue of your interview. Included will be a file on UN Competencies, a very important document.
When convoked, do not attempt to will the UN into action by trying to contact them. It is always often met with silence. They will contact you and if you are like me, you will be assigned a very helpful contact who will assist you all the way until you arrive for your interview either in New York, Geneva or any location that they will interview you in. Sometimes, the interview may be conducted via video conference or phone; I am of the opinion that this option is often available to candidates with close proximity to a UN office and where the technology is available. I was initially convoked to Geneva but visa delays forced me to New York instead. Because my assigned contact was based in New York, I was glad to meet her in person, thank her for her hard work and she took me to the interview room.
The wait between when you are advised and when you leave can be long. I was advised of my convocation early in November of 2008 and was interviewed in January of 2009. Liaise closely with your UN contact on all issues regarding your travel. My authorization for travel and e-tickets were provided 3 days before I left for New York.
During the interview
As I have mentioned, be prepared to talk a lot about yourself. For me it was a bit of an unnerving experience because I personally find it very difficult to talk about myself. But study the UN competencies really well and try to think of real examples of where you may have applied some or all of the competencies. Stay positive, avoid flattery and be honest. Practical examples are important. At the end of my interview, we spent 15 minutes on questions about the United Nations. 4 open ended questions will be asked you may pass on only one without being penalized. I missed 2 of those 4 questions. I passed on the first, did not know the answer to the second but answered the last two questions really well.
Join the NCREFORUM
This is a yahoo group on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ncreforum, was formed in 2005 by candidates who were on the roster. The stories you read here will surely give hope; most of us are not alone. Aside from that those on this forum are quick to let others know when opportunities arise or take time to explain in great detail issues that affect candidates who have made it on the roster and are waiting for placement from the United Nations. I surely found some very inspiring stories on this forum. It’s membership is, however, only open to those who are currently on the roster. You will gain valuable insight interacting with its members who have been in this situation before.
But basically my message is, the wait can be long; quite long at times. So patience is the name of the game.
I’m legal affairs as well. Going over precedent for now kinda half heartedly as not sure whether or not I made it to the exam. I wrote inquiring they said we will be informed late Sept / early Oct… Any other ideas?
Hi We are on the same boat! Today I checked my status again and it says “under consideration”
When I checked a few days ago it was “052 shortlist”.
I wonder what the “under consideration” means at this point!!!!>.<
Hope for the best!
Is anybody in the same situation??
Hello,
I checked my status the other day and like everyone else, it says 052 Short List. However, this evening, the staus says “Under Consideration”. I guess they are now evaluating my application. Am I right with this deduction? bty i applied for the Admin field
Hi Lynnold,
I really appreciate ur clarification. I believe dealing with the UNV will be a great idea and most importantly is to have a plan as u said.
Thanks…
Hi Bis, the two that come to mind are the language/translator’s exams and the G to P exams. The G to P exams are for those currently employed in the general category (G) and who would like to go on to the professional category (P).
However, there are other ways to get into the UN. Quite a number of people start as UNV (volunteer program) and prove themselves on the field before slowing working their way to desk jobs at the HQ.
I think the best way to eventually working at the UN is to have a plan and executing it well. Cheers, Lynnold
Is anybody knows about other UN Certificates or exams that could help to get hired at UN?
thanks..
Thanks Strangelov. I am pretty much on the same path. If I find any good books containting ICJ caselaw, I will post it.
Bambi, many things that I will say will be pretty obvious to you for I am as clueless as you, nonetheless:
-I’m studying mainly International Law and Viena Conventions on different fields (Treaty Law, State Succession…). Also I want to take a look to some Law of the Sea manual…
-Also, I’ve resumed a book on the Institutional side of the United Nations
-I will try to learn the Charter like my own name.
-My intention is to spend the last weeks before the exam (if I can actually take it!!) in practical cases, which seems to be the type of question for the Legal Affairs field…
-I’m having difficulty in finding any good manual about case-law of the International Court of Justice… either they are too old or not commented…
Cheers.
To Hkn,
Thanks for the clarifications!
After my question to you, today, the status became shortlist.However, as a read the comments written down here, I should not be happy since this does not mean the convocation to the exam. We will see what happens next…
Similar to many of those who replied, my status is listed as “052 Short List.” So far, it seems that no one is able to say for sure whether this means we are actually admitted to the exam (or simply whether it means the initial qualifications have been met). The exam is only 8 weeks away. Is anyone able to provide any info on when we will know for sure whether we are convoked to take the exam? I was expecting to hear by now, since the exam date is fast approaching. Also, I applied to Legal Affairs, and would appreciated any info/insight at all that anyone could provide. Anything, really, any info at all, anything from recommended books to how the time pressure was during the exam. I’ll check the blog and any insight is greatly appreciated. I’ve taken/studied for many exams, and feel like I’m nearly studying blind here. Is it true that we get a list of recommended reading for our field once we receive official notification that we are sitting for the exam?
Talking about the right preparation…Anyone here for Legal Affairs? Maybe to exchange some ideas? I have started studying too.
Hey everyone,
Me too I also have status 052. Does anyone knows literature for specialization security?
To Ozd,
I applied for this recruitment programme on 9th September and after that,I checked the application page a few times till the deadline and the status column was blank.But afterwards,I could not have chance to check it out till 2nd October and when I checked the status,it was written “052 Short List” on the status column.Therefore,I could not give you an exact answer for your question.Maybe,the status changed after deadline or not.I am not sure about this.But as you read my previous comment,this “052 Shortlist” may have a few meanings.But considering the meaning of “Shortlist” ,it could be the final list or not for the written exam.And besides,I have not received any confirmation e-mail or sth like that for convocation.I hope,my explanation is enough for your questions.By the way,what is written on your status column?
To Hkn,
I also applied from Turkey for Human Rights. Could you please inform us when your status became shortlist and whether you were informed via e-mail about your status.
thanks and congratulations!..
Hi
I am in “052 Short List” too ,Web devoloper section from Turkey.i hope this 052 thing is a good news for all of us.
Dear All,
I am also in “052 short list” limbo…have been since early Sept.
Though it’s frustrating not knowing where I stand, I’ve decided to start studying…does anybody have any ideas where to begin for a Human Rights applicant?
Regards
R,
I am also not sure abt the books. A sample syllabus is given on the page for administration. I am just trying to go through some books that I used in my undergrad on those topics. I think it is equally important to understand what is done in the real situation to do well in the test. If you have any idea to share on this, pls do so.
TY, 052 shortlist.
As I read all comments of this topic,no one has a clear and obvious information what “052 short list” means…I am also shortlisted for administration section from Turkey.But as I guess,it means not the final list for the written exam.If it is,probably,they would send invitations for the written exam via e-mail..But I hope,we would not wait for a long time for convocations..If someone gets a clear information,please share with us…
Hey everybody,
glad I found some people in the same situation. My status said “052 short list” as well. That was around beginning of September. Just after expiry of the deadline it disappeared though. Wonder what it means.
Anyone knows when we are getting definite notifications?
Looked at the statistics too. Not exactly encouraging.
Have a good weekend.
kh